Do not stifle the Holy Spirit...Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. 1 Thes 5:19,23-24
I grew up in a church that focused on the rapture, escape the trouble to come was the message. I've learned that pursuing the kingdom of God and his righteousness is also a popular message - to live your best life, a purpose-driven life. Through BSF I've learned how to read and study the Bible for myself and let the Spirit of God guide me in this process. I've come to understand God's heart and compassion, his love for people.
Reading all of 1 Thessalonians I see that Paul praises gospel impact in Thessalonica, encourages about Christ’s return. This church shared Christ in a way outsiders commended them, they did this at great personal cost (1Thes 1-2:16). Satanic opposition can't stop God's plan (2:17-3:13). The point of 1 Thes 4:15-18, is not about escaping the world of trouble but that we would live as Christ lived knowing that we will die and be resurrected as he was.
- 1 Thes 4:15-18) Lord: we who are living will not meet the Lord ahead of those who died, Lord himself will come for us and we’ll meet him in the air with the Lord forever (Rev 14:14-16;Daniel 7:13)– be encouraged with this word
- Revelation goes into more details in Revelation 8-9 we see Lamb's seventh seal brings prayer and six trumpets for repentance
- Seven blessings in Revelation explain faith, eternal life and sanctification, notice faith and sanctification is the driving purpose of the prophetic word (not wrath avoidance).
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